Thermal recorder with ink sheet cassette removably mounted in openable housing

ABSTRACT

An image recording apparatus for recording on a recording sheet an image corresponding to an information signal which apparatus comprises a first housing having a recording sheet holding device for holding the recording sheet, a conveyor for conveying the recording sheet, and a holding member for holding the recording sheet conveyed by the conveyer. A second housing is divisibly openable relative to the first housing and has an ink sheet cassette loading portion for loading thereinto an ink sheet cassette integrally having an ink sheet carrying thereon ink to be transferred and a support member for supporting the ink sheet, the ink sheet cassette being removably mountable with respect to the body of the apparatus. A means is provided for maintaining the loaded state of the ink sheet cassette against the gravity of the ink sheet cassette even when the second housing is opened from the first housing and for restraining the ink sheet cassette on the loading portion in its removably mountable state, and a recording head is provided for effecting a recording operation in response to the information signal, the ink sheet cassette being mounted or dismounted with respect to the second housing when the second housing is opened from the first housing.

This application is a continuation of application Ser. No. 083,002,filed Aug. 7, 1987, now abandoned, which is a continuation ofapplication Ser. No. 741,734, filed on June 5, 1985, now abandoned.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to a recording apparatus which uses an ink sheetcarrying thereon ink to be transferred to transfer the ink to arecording sheet in response to an information signal, thereby recordingon the recording sheet an image corresponding to the information signal.The recording apparatus includes, for example, a so-called facsimileapparatus, an electronic typewriter (ETW), a printer or a wordprocessor.

2. Description of the Prior Art

Description will hereinafter be made with a facsimile apparatus taken asan example of recording apparatus.

An example of the conventional facsimile apparatus is shown in FIG. 1 ofthe accompanying drawings.

In the conventional facsimile apparatus, a roll of ink sheet wound on acore 2 as shown in FIG. 1 has generally been used as an ink sheet 1superposed on recording paper 5. The ink sheet 1 unwound from the rollis directed between a thermal head 3 and a platen roller 4 via a tensionroller 6 and is taken up by a take-up shaft 8 via a further tensionroller 7. On the other hand, the recording paper 5 is directed tobetween the thermal head 3 and the platen roller 4 so as to besuperposed under the ink sheet 1. In this manner, the recording by heattransfer is effected with the ink sheet 1 and the recording paper 5being conveyed while being nipped between the thermal head 3 and theplaten roller 4.

Thus, where such a structure is adopted, the user of the apparatus mustpass the rolled ink sheet 1 through a narrow space in which variousmembers are disposed proximate to one another, as shown in FIG. 1, andthe mounting of the ink sheet requires a very cumbersome operation.

So, as described in Japanese Laid-Open Utility Model Application No.26360/1984 (filed in Japan on Aug. 12, 1982 and laid open on Feb. 18,1984), there is known a heat transfer printing apparatus in which anupper frame is pivoted upwardly and then a transfer ribbon roll is seton a lower, frame and the transfer ribbon is placed so as to extend fromthe transfer ribbon roll onto a guide rail, a thermal head and atransfer ribbon feeding roller, whereafter the upper frame and the lowerframe are closed together.

In this apparatus, however, the transfer ribbon is in the form of a rolland moreover, this roll of transfer ribbon is provided on the lowerframe, and thus, it has ben necessary to mount and dismount the roll oftransfer ribbon with respect to the lower frame. Moreover, the transferribbon must be mounted to the body while creeping or rubbing on thethermal head and therefore, it has been necessary to take care so thatthe transfer ribbon is not damaged and the thermal head is not stainedwhen the transfer ribbon is mounted.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

It is an object of the present invention to provide a recordingapparatus which readily permits the mounting and dismounting of an inksheet to be accomplished.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a recordingapparatus in which an ink sheet is not wrinkled or damaged when it ismounted onto the body of the apparatus.

It is still another object of the present invention to provide arecording apparatus which readily permits the mounting and dismountingof an ink sheet cassette integrally having an ink sheet carrying thereonink to be transferred and a support member for supporting the ink sheetto be accomplished.

It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a recordingapparatus which readily permits the mounting and dismounting or jamtreatment of a recording sheet and maintenance such as repair to beaccomplished.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic view of a facsimile apparatus according to theprior art.

FIG. 2(A) is a perspective view of an embodiment of the ink sheetcassette applicable to the present invention.

FIG. 2(B) is a side cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 2(C) is a front cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which a facsimileapparatus with an ink sheet cassette mounted therein is closed.

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view showing a state in which the apparatusis opened.

FIG. 5 is a pictorial perspective view of the apparatus.

FIG. 6(A) is a left side view of another embodiment of the ink sheetcassette.

FIG. 6(B) is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 6(C) is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view thereof.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a facsimile apparatus utilizing theink sheet cassette of FIGS. 6(A)-6(C) and 7.

FIG. 9 is a cross-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus of FIG. 8 inits opened state.

FIG. 10(A) is a left side view of the cassette loading portion as it isloaded with the cassette.

FIG. 10(B) is a plan view thereof.

FIG. 10(C) is a right side view thereof.

FIG. 11 is a schematic view of a driving system.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate another embodiment of the cassette, FIG. 12being a longitudinal cross-sectional side view, FIG. 13 being a frontview of a tension roller, and FIG. 14 being a perspective view of thecassette.

FIGS. 15 to 18 illustrate still another embodiment of the cassette, FIG.15 being a longitudinal cross-sectional front view of the cassette, FIG.16 being a longitudinal cross-sectional side view thereof, FIG. 17 beingan enlarged view of a portion of the cassette, and FIG. 18 being aperspective view of the cassette.

FIG. 19 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view illustrating yet stillanother embodiment of the cassette.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view for illustrating the wrinkle preventingeffect.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of a further embodiment of the cassette.

FIG. 22 is a cross-sectional view of the apparatus as it is loaded witha cassette.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

An example of an ink sheet cassette usable in a facsimile apparatus towhich an embodiment of the present invention is applied will first bedescribed. FIG. 2(A) is a perspective view of the ink sheet cassette,FIG. 2(B) is a side cross-sectional view thereof and FIG. 2(C) is afront cross-sectional view thereof.

Referring to these figures, the ink sheet cassette 9 is formed ofsynthetic resin integrally molded, and bulged portions 9a and 9b ofarcuate cross-section for mounting an ink sheet 1 thereon are providedon the opposite ends of a base plate 9f. Cut-away portions 9c and 9d areprovided in the lower portions of the inner side walls of these bulgedportions 9a and 9b so as to form a path for the ink sheet 1 mountedbetween the bulged portions 9a and 9b. An opening 9e is provided in thebase plate 9f between the bulged portions 9a and 9b so as to enable arecording head to press the ink sheet 1 and a recording sheet insuperposed relation with each other between it and a platen roller aswill hereinafter be described.

Spindles 10a, 10b are rotatably supported on the lengthwisely oppositeside plates 9g of one bulged portion 9a, and a supply shaft 2 on whichan unused ink sheet is wound is held by these spindles 10a, 10b. Also,spindles 10a, 10b are rotatably supported on the lengthwisely oppositeside plates 9h of the other bulged portion 9b, and a take-up shaft 11for taking up the used ink sheet is held between these spindles. The inksheet 1 wound in the form of a roll on the supply shaft 2 is directedout of the cut-away portion 9c of the bulged portion 9a and passesthrough the cut-away portion 9d after the ink carried thereon has beentransferred to the recording sheet, and is wound on the take-up shaft11. The ink sheet 1 is of a width sufficient to overlap the full widthof a sheet recording images thereon.

By the ink sheet cassette 9 being removably mounted at a predeterminedposition in the facsimile apparatus, the supply shaft 2 and the take-upshaft 11 are rotatively driven from the body side and the ink sheet 1contained therein is paid away from the supply shaft 2 and taken up ontothe take-up shaft 11.

Rails 9i and 9j are provided on the other walls of the bulged portions9a and 9b along the lengthwise direction thereof and, by these rails 9iand 9j sliding on a substantially U-shaped rail on the body side, theink sheet cassette 9 can be removably mounted in the body.

Description will now be made of an example of the facsimile apparatus inwhich the ink sheet cassette 9 has been mounted. FIG. 3 is across-sectional view showing the apparatus in its closed state, FIG. 4is a cross-sectional view showing the apparatus in its opened state, andFIG. 5 is a perspective view showing the appearance of the apparatus.

In the present embodiment, a reading mechanism R for reading the imageof an original, an automatic original conveying mechanism F forconveying the original, a recording sheet loading portion 23 and arecording sheet conveying mechanism X are provided in a main housing 40.A recording mechanism W for recording on a recording sheet an imagecorresponding to the information is intensively provided in an upperhousing 40b pivotable upwardly about a shaft 19 relative to the mainhousing 40 and having an original carriage cover 17.

The reading mechanism R provided in the main housing 40 will first bedescribed in connection with the original carriage cover 17. First, theconveying mechanism for conveying the original to a reading unit will beexplained. The original carriage cover 17 can be opened by beingupwardly pivoted about the shaft 19 relative to the main housing 40 andis provided upstream of the reading mechanism R with respect to thedirection of conveyance of the original. The original O is placed on thecover 17 with the surface of the original to be read facing downward. Atthis time, the original may be placed on the cover 17 along an originalwidth guide provided on the cover 17 and movable in conformity with thewidth of the original. Then, the original O placed on the cover 17 isautomatically brought to a reading unit 41 by an automatic originalsupplying device F comprising a feeder section 32, a separating section33, a conveying section 34 and a discharging section 35, and isdischarged onto an original tray 27 after the surface of the original isread. The feeder section 32 comprises a square roller 32a and a pressurecontact roller 32b, and the roller 32a is rotated (in the direction ofarrow) to thereby squeeze the bundle of originals and make the originalsready to be separated one by one and deliver the originals to theseparating section 33 one by one. The originals having arrived at theseparating section 33 are separated one by one by the cooperationbetween a friction piece 33a and a roller 33b (rotatable in thedirection of the arrow). The original thus separated is then nippedbetween conveying rollers 34a and 34b and is further conveyed therebyand passes through an exposure station as the reading unit 41 which willlater be described, whereafter it is discharged onto the original tray27 (partly shown) by a pair of discharge rollers 35a and 35.

Now, the original O conveyed by the automatic original supplying deviceF is read by the image thereof being illuminated by a light source 28 atthe exposure station 41 between the conveying section 34 and thedischarging section 35 and the reflected light thereof being condensedby a lens 25 through mirrors 31a and 31b and imaged on a reading element26 such as CCD. The image of this reflected light imaged on the readingelement 26 is converted into an information signal by conventionalmeans. This information signal is transmitted to a recording unitprovided in the same apparatus or in another apparatus and records theimage on a recording sheet 5.

The loading portion 23 for the roll of recording sheet 5 and therecording sheet conveying mechanism X are further provided in the mainhousing 40.

The loading portion 23 is in the form of a tub having a size sufficientto contain a roll of unused recording sheet 5 having a given maximumdiameter, and is provided below the original carriage cover 17. Also,mounting means (not shown) for removably positioning and mounting a core5a on which the roll of recording sheet 5 is wound are provided on theopposite side plates (not shown) of the loading portion 23. Further, atthe outlet side of this loading portion 23, there ar provided a guide 43for guiding the sheet 5, a platen roller 4 for guiding the sheet 5 whilebeing rotatively driven, a guide 20 and a pair of conveying rollers 22,and these constitute the sheet conveying mechanism X. The platen roller4 is made of rubber and serves to hold the ink sheet 1 and the recordingsheet 5 pressed by the recording head 3, which will later be described.By the operation of the recording head 3 conforming to the informationsignal, a heat-generating element 3a generates heat and the ink carriedon the ink sheet 1 is melted and transferred onto the recording sheet 5and thus, the image is recorded on the sheet 5.

Reference numeral 21 designates cutters for cutting the recorded sheet 5at a desired position Reference numeral 24 denotes a power sourcedevice.

The image recording mechanism W will now be described.

In the present embodiment, the loading portion 44 of the ink sheetcassette 9 constituting the image recording mechanism W and therecording head 3 are provided in an upper housing 41b having theoriginal carriage cover 17 in the upper portion thereof.

A mechanism for opening and closing the upper housing 41b having theoriginal carriage cover 17 will first be described.

In the present embodiment, the housing 41b having the cover 17 isupwardly pivotable about the shaft 19 provided downstream thereof withrespect to the direction of conveyance of the original. A lever 19a issecured to one end of this shaft 19, and the other end of the lever 19ais pulled by a spring 19b. Also, a locking lever 17b is provided on thehousing 41b which is adjacent to the cover 17, and the tip end of thislever 17b is engaged with the groove portion 40a of the main housing 40,whereby the cover 17 maintains its closed state in which image recordingis possible (FIG. 3), against the resilient force of a spring 19b. Ifthis lever 17b is pivoted counter-clockwise to release its engagementwith the groove portion 40a, the cover 17 will be pivoted upwardly bythe resilient force of the spring 19b and maintain its opened state in aposition in which the moment is balanced (FIG. 4).

Description will now be made of the loading portion 45 of the ink sheetcassette 9 provided on the cover 17 and the recording head 3.

The loading portion 45 is provided on an upper bas 13 fixed to the innerside of the cover 17 and has a sufficient space for mounting thecassette 9 therein from the innermost side plate 17a to this side, andsubstantially U-shaped rails 45a and 45b extending from the innermostside to this side are secured to the opposite ends thereof. If the rails9i and 9j of the cassette 9 slide on these rails 45a and 45b, thecassette 9 can be mounted on the loading portion 45 and can be removedfrom the loading portion 45. The cassette 9 mounted in the loadingportion 45 is positioned and locked on the loading portion 45 bycounter-clockwisely pivoting a lever 45c (indicated by dots-and-dashline) provided on this side of the loading portion 45. Also, byclockwisely pivoting the lever 45c and retracting it from themounting-dismounting path of the cassette 9, the cassette 9 can be drawnout from the loading portion 45 in the thrust direction (toward thisside).

The recording head 3 will now be described.

The recording head 3 has a heat-generating element 3a linearly embeddedtherein at a location opposed to the platen roller 4, theheat-generating element 3a being adapted to generate heat in response tothe information signal. This recording head 3 is provided on the upperbase 13 side above the loading portion 45 for pivotal movement about ashaft 29 through an arm 16a supporting a head holder 16 and providedoutside the innermost part of the loading portion 45. Reference numeral29a designates a stopper for controlling the downward pivotal movementof the arm 16a. Thus, in the opened state of the body, the ink sheet 1in the ink sheet cassette 9 loaded into the ink sheet cassette loadingportion 45 and the recording head 3 become spaced apart from each other.

Also, a head press arm 14 is pivotally mounted on the upper surface ofthe free end of the head holder 16 through a shaft 14a, and a spring 15is extended between this head press arm 14 and the fixed portion of theapparatus. Thus, the head press arm 14 is biased counter-clockwise asviewed in FIG. 3 to impart to the thermal head 3 a pressure force whichbrings the head 3 into contact with the platen roller 4. Describing thewidths of the linear heat-generating element 3a, the ink sheet 1 and therecording sheet 5, the linear heat-generating element 3a and the sheet 5are of substantially the same width and the sheet 1 has a greater width(usually 2-6 mm) than the sheet 5.

Designated by 16b is a paper guide curvedly provided below the thermalhead 3 to guide the sheet 5 to the heat-generating element 3a of thethermal head 3.

Description will now be made of the operation of mounting anddismounting the ink sheet cassette 9 and the recording sheet 5 withrespect to the body in the above-described construction.

A method of loading the ink sheet cassette 9 and the recording sheet 5into the body will first be described.

First, the front door 46 and the rear door 47 of the body are opened bypivoting them about hinges, not shown, in the directions of respectivearrows indicated in FIG. 5. Subsequently, the locking lever 17b isreleased from the groove portion 40a and the cover 17 is opened upwardlyby the resilient force of the spring 19b. The rails 9i and 9j of thecassette are then slid on the rails 45a and 45b of the body and thecassette 9 is pushed in the thrust direction. If, during this settingwork, the operator only raises the thermal head 3 through the headholder 16, the portion below the loading portion 45 will provide a largespace and will become greatly spaced apart from the conveyance path ofthe recording sheet 5 or from the platen roller 4, thus permitting thecassette 9 to be mounted without damaging the ink sheet 1. After beingmounted in the loading portion 45, the cassette 9 may be locked on theloading portion if the lever 45c is pivoted counter-clockwise (theposition shown in FIG. 3). Thereafter, if the cover 17 (the upperhousing 40b) is pivoted downwardly and the lever 17b is restrained inthe groove portion 40a, the cover 17 (the upper housing 40b) will beclosed relative to the main housing 40 and the body will becomeoperative. Thereupon, the platen roller 4 comes into the cassette 9through an opening 9e in the cassette 9 mounted in the loading portion45, and the recording sheet 5 on the main housing 40 side and the inksheet 1 contained in the cassette 9 are superposed one upon the otherover the full width thereof and become urged against the recording head3. That is, the ink sheet 1 is superposed on the recording sheet 5between the recording head 3 and the platen roller 4 and, as shown inFIG. 3, the ink sheet 1 and the recording sheet 5 are bent in the formof a mountain with their portions in contact with the platen roller 4 asthe vertex and are set with the slack of the ink sheet 1 removed. Theroll of recording sheet 5 is dropped into the loading portion 23,whereafter it is directed between the platen roller 4 and the guide 20,between the rollers 22 and between the cutters 21.

The recording head 3 urges the ink sheet 1 and the recording sheet 5against the platen roller 4 from between the bulged portions 9a and 9bwith the aid of the resilient force of the spring 15.

When the apparatus is started, the take-up shaft 11, the platen roller4, the pair of paper discharge rollers 22, etc. become ready to bedriven by a driving system (not shown) and reading of the original isinitiated.

The heat-generating element 3a of the recording head 3 generates heat inaccordance with the reading signal and the ink carried on the ink sheet1 is transferred onto the recording sheet 5 and thus, recording iseffected.

The ink sheet 1 and the recording sheet 5 which have completed therecording are separated from each other by the separating section 30 atone end of the guide plate 20, and the ink sheet 1 is taken up onto thetake-up shaft 11. The recording sheet 5 passes between the guide plates20 and 20 and is discharged by the pair of paper discharges rollers 22and 22 and after the recording has all been terminated, the recordingsheet 5 is cut by the cutters 21 and 21 and discharged outwardly of theapparatus.

During the interchange of the recording sheet 5 or the cassette 9, asshown in FIG. 4, the upper base 13 constituting the upper housing 40b ispivoted counter-clockwise about the shaft 19 with the original carriagecover 17.

Thereupon, the cassette 9 also separates from the platen roller 4, andthe recording sheet 5 and the ink sheet 1 become greatly spaced apartfrom each other. At this time, the rails 45a and 45b maintain themounted state of the ink sheet cassette 9 onto the loading portion 45against the gravity of the ink sheet cassette 9.

So, the lever 45c is pivoted clockwise to release its locking state,whereafter the cassette 9 is slide on the rails 45a and 45b and is drawnout in the thrust direction, whereby the cassette 9 can be simplyremoved from the loading portion 45. If, during this removing work ofthe cassette 9, the thermal head 3 is only raised as during the settingwork, the removing work will progress smoothly. Also, the roll ofrecording sheet 5 may be taken out, of the loading portion 23. In FIG.5, the letters "O.P." designate an operating panel.

Another embodiment will now be described.

This embodiment relates to an ink sheet cassette removably mountable indirections (the directions of arrows X and Y in FIG. 9) perpendicular tothe thrust direction, and to a facsimile apparatus with respect to whichthe cassette is removably mountable.

The ink sheet cassette will first be described by reference to FIGS.6(A), (B) and (C) and FIG. 7. FIG. 6(A) is a left side view of thecassette of the present embodiment, FIG. 6(B) is a plan view thereof,FIG. 6(C) is a right side view thereof, and FIG. 7 is a fragmentarycross-sectional view thereof.

In these figures, reference numerals 50 and 51 designate cassette sideplates. Support shafts 52 and 53 are forced from the outside of theseside plates 50 and 51 into the core 55 of a roll 54 on which an inksheet to be supplied is wound and the core 57 of a roll 56 on which theink sheet after used is taken up. The take-up ink sheet roll 56 and thesupply ink sheet roll 54 are rotatably mounted in the cassette C. A gear52a is provided on the peripheral surface of each support shaft 52 andis adapted to mesh with the driving system on the body side when thecassette C is mounted in the body, thereby rotating the rolls 54 and 56.Thus, the ink sheet 1 is taken up from the supply ink sheet roll 54 ontothe take-up ink sheet roll 56.

Further, in this cassette C, a separating roller 58 and a guide shaft 59are rotatably mounted between the side plates 50 and 51. The separatingroller 58 serves to separate the ink sheet 1 and the recording sheet 5from each other after transfer, and the guide shaft 59 serves to guidethe ink sheet 1 to the transfer station. The upper and lower portions ofthe cassette C are open to permit the entry of the recording headthereinto.

Tapered recesses 52b and 53a are provided in the central portions of thesupport shafts 52 and 53, respectively. These recesses 52b and 53a, aswill later be described, fit to the recesses of the body and removablyrestrain the cassette C when the cassette C is mounted on the loadingportion of the body.

Description will now be made of a facsimile apparatus into which thecassette C may be removably loaded.

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus, FIG. 9 is across-sectional view of the facsimile apparatus in its open state, FIG.10(A) is a left side view of the cassette loading portion loaded with acassette, FIG. 10(B) is a plan view thereof, and FIG. 10(C) is a rightside view thereof. In these figures, members similar to those in theprevious embodiment are given similar reference numerals and need not bedescribed. The appearance of this apparatus is substantially the same asthat of the embodiment shown in FIG. 5.

FIGS. 8 and 9 generally illustrate the entire apparatus. A recordingmaterial conveying system 65 is contained in a lower frame member 61,and an ink sheet cassette loading portion 63, a recording portion 64 andan original carriage cover 17 are contained in an upper frame member 62.The recording material conveying system 65 guides and conveys arecording material (such as paper or plastic sheet) 67 loaded on arecording material holder 66 by a platen roller 4, records apredetermined image on the recording material at the recording portion64, cuts the recording material by cutters 21 and discharges therecording material outwardly of the apparatus by a pair of paperdischarge rollers 22. The ink sheet cassette loading portion 63 isprovided in an ink sheet frame 68 formed integrally with the originalcarriage cover 17, and is designed such that when the cassette C isloaded, the ink sheet 1 wound on an ink sheet supply side core 55 isconveyed in intimate contact with the recording material 67 at therecording portion 64, is separated from the recording material 67 by aseparating roller 58 and is taken up onto a take-up side core 57.Support shaft gears 52a are mounted on the supply side core 55 andtake-up side core 57 of the ink sheet conveying system 70, and thesegears 52a may mesh with a supply gear and a take-up gear, respectively,mounted in the lower frame member 61, whereby the drive force of a motormay be transmitted to the cores 55 and 57. The ink sheet frame 68 inwhich the cassette loading portion 63 is provided is mounted on asupport bar 71 projectedly provided on the surface of the ceiling of theupper frame member 62, through a spring 72.

Furthermore, in the upper frame member 62, a thermal recording head 73for heating the ink sheet 1 in response to an information signal ismounted above the cassette loading portion 63 for pivotal movement abouta shaft 73b, and this head 73 can urge the recording material 67 and theink sheet 1 against the platen roller 4 with the aid of a pressingspring 74, and this constitutes the recording portion 64. Designated by73a is a heat-generating element provided in the form of a line, anddenoted by 73c is a head holder for holding the head 73.

The upper frame member 62 is pivotally connected to the lower framemember 61 by a support shaft 19, the upper frame member 62 is mounted soas to be openable about the support shaft 19, and the upper frame member62 and the lower frame member 61 are closed by the engagement betweenthe hook 76 of the upper frame member 62 and the projected member 77 ofthe lower frame member 61. Several cut-aways 80 are formed atpredetermined locations in the lower end of the ink sheet frame 68mounted on the upper frame member 62, and positioning pins 81 areprovided on the lower frame member 61 at locations corresponding to saidout-ways 80 and are adapted to fit into the cut-aways 80 to therebyaccomplish the positioning of the cassette C relative to the lower framemember 61 when the upper frame member 62 is mounted on the lower framemember 61. Also, the positioning of the recording head 73 relative tothe platen roller 4 is accomplished by the leg 73e of the recording headfitting to the end shaft (not shown) of the platen roller 4.

In FIG. 8, reference numeral 41 designates an original reading stationThe information read at this station is converted into electricalinformation by a photoelectric conversion element 26, and thisinformation is transmitted to the thermal recording head 73 of anotherfacsimile recording apparatus or of the same body.

Description will now be made of a case where the recording material 67or the ink sheet cassette C is interchanged in the above-describedapparatus.

When the upper frame member 62 is opened about the support shaft 19 asshown in FIG. 9, the recording material conveying system 65 and the inksheet cassette C are spaced apart from each other to provide a widespace above the recording material holder 66 because the ink sheetcassette loading portion 63 is mounted on the upper frame member 62which is integral with the original carriage cover 17, whereby therecording material 67 or the ink sheet cassette C can be easilyinterchanged. At this time, a head holder 73c has its downward pivotalmovement controlled by a stopper 73d and the head 73 maintains itsspaced apart state with respect to the ink sheet 1 in the ink sheetcassette C loaded on the ink sheet cassette loading portion 63. Themounting and dismounting of the cassette C will later be described indetail.

When the upper frame member 62 is to be mounted, if it is closed aboutthe support shaft 19, the hook 76 comes into engagement with theprojected member 77, whereby the two frame members 61 and 62 are fixedand the ink sheet frame 68 is automatically positioned with thepositioning pins 81 of the lower frame member 61 being fitted in thecut-aways 80. Thus, the mesh engagement of the support shaft gear 52a ofthe ink sheet cassette C with the supply gear and take-up gear on thelower frame member 61 side is secured.

Even if, at this time, the mesh engagement of the support shaft gear 52awith the supply gear and take-up gear is incomplete, the displacement ofink sheet frame 68 will be absorbed by the spring 72 because the inksheet frame 68 is held by the spring 72, which acts as a displacingmeans to ensure meshing. If, in this state, the apparatus is driven, thesupply gear or the take-up gear to which the drive force has beentransmitted is moved, whereby the mesh engagement between the gear,which has been incomplete at the point of time whereat one of the gearsin mesh engagement with each other has moved, will become complete andtherefore, no problem will arise.

Reference is now had to FIGS. 10(A), (B) and (C) to describe a method ofmounting and dismounting the cassette C with respect to the loadingportion 63.

In these figures, reference characters 63a, 63b, 63c and 63d designateframe members forming the loading portion 63 and secured to the inksheet frame 68. A convex spindle 63e is secured to the innermost one 63cof these frame members. Also, a knob 63g is provided on the frame member63d, and a tapered spindle 63h is integrally provided on the knob 63gwith the frame member 63d interposed therebetween and is movable in adirection perpendicular to the frame member 63d. A spring 63f isprovided between the rear end 63h' of the spindle 63h and the framemember 63d, and this spring 63f biases the spindle 63h toward the core55. Thus, if the operator grips the knob 63g and pulls out the knob 63gin the direction of arrow A against the resilient force of the spring63f, the spindle 63h will also move in the direction of arrow A, and ifthe operator's hand is released from the knob 63g, the end surface 63g'of the knob 63g will come to bear against the frame member 63d with theaid of the resilient force of the spring 63f.

When the cassette C is to be mounted in the loading portion 63, the knob63g is first pulled out in the direction of arrow A, and then thecassette C is inserted into the loading portion 63 in a direction (thedirection of arrow X in FIG. 8) perpendicular to the thrust direction.At that time, the cassette C is inserted into the loading portion 63from the support shaft 52 side so that the recess 52b of the supportshaft 52 fits to the spindle 63e, and the support shaft 52 is firstcaused to be held by the loading portion. Thereafter, the cassette C israised to a position in which the recess 53a of the support shaft 53 isopposed to the spindle 63h, and then the hand is released from the knob63g. Thus, the knob 63g is returned in the direction of arrow B by thespring force of the spring 63f and the spindle 63h fits into the recess53.

Accordingly, the cassette C is mounted in the loading portion 63.

By selecting the magnitude of the resilient force of the spring 63f withthe weight of the cassette C or the tension applied to the ink sheetbeing taken into account, the cassette C can maintain its state in whichit is mounted in the loading portion 63 even if the body is in itsopened state or even if tension is applied to the ink sheet 67 duringthe conveyance thereof to prevent the ink sheet from being wrinkled.

When the cassette C is to be removed from the loading portion 63, theknob 63g may be pulled out and the engagement between the spindle 63hand the recess 53a may be released, whereafter the engagement betweenthe spindle 63e and the recess 52b may be released and the cassette Cmay be taken out in the direction of arrow Y (FIG. 9).

In the present embodiment, in addition to the effect possessed by theprevious embodiment, the mounting and dismounting of the cassette C withrespect to the loading portion 63 are effected in the directions (thedirections of arrows X and Y) perpendicular to the thrust direction withthe body being opened and therefore, it is not necessary to retract therecording head 73 during the mounting and dismounting of the cassette Cand thus, the operability can be improved.

The driving of the ink sheet will now be described. FIG. 11schematically shows the driving system.

In driving the above-described apparatus, the drive force to the platenroller 4 is transmitted by a motor 80 through a speed reduction system,and the drive forces to the supply side core 55 and the take-up sidecore 56 are transmitted by the motor 80 through one-way clutches 81 and82, respectively, and also through the speed reduction system andsliding clutches 83 and 84 which may slide when a predetermined load ormore is applied thereto, by the mesh engagement between the gears of thesliding clutches and the support shaft gear forced into the ink sheetroll.

The one-way clutch 81 connected to the supply side core 55 has suchone-way directionality that it does not transmit the drive force of themotor 80 to to the supply side core 55 when the motor 80 revolves in adirection for rotating the platen roller 4 in the direction of arrow b,i.e., a forward direction, and that it transmits the drive force to thesupply side core 55 when the motor 80 revolves in a direction forrotating the platen roller 4 in the direction of -b (the minus signindicates the direction opposite to the arrow), i.e., a reversedirection, and the one-way clutch 82 connected to the take-up side core56 has such one-way directionality that it transmits the drive force ofthe motor 80 to the take-up side core 56 when the motor revolves in theforward direction and that it does not transmit the drive force to thetake-up side core 56 when the motor revolves in the reverse direction.

Where the take-up speed of the ink sheet 1 by the supply side core 55and the take-up side core 56 is set so as to be higher than theconveyance speed of the ink sheet 1 and the recording material 64 by theplaten roller 4, that part of the former speed which exceeds theconveyance speed by the platen roller 4 is absorbed by the sliding ofthe sliding clutches 83 and 84 and a predetermined tension is applied tothe ink sheet 1 by the sliding load of these sliding clutches.Accordingly, the diameter of the roll taken up by the take-up of the inksheet 1 varies and the variation in the take-up speed arising therefromcan be absorbed.

When recording is started, the motor 80 revolves in the direction ofarrow a, i.e., the forward direction, whereby the platen roller 4 isrotated in the direction of arrow b and the ink sheet 1 and therecording material 64 are conveyed forwardly and a predetermined imageis recorded on the recording material 64 by the heat-generating member73a of the thermal head 73. At this time, the drive of the supply sidecore 55 is cut off by the one-way clutch 81 and the ink sheet 1 issupplied with a predetermined back tension being applied thereto by thesliding clutch 83, and a drive force in the direction of arrow c istransmitted to the take-up side core 56 through the one-way clutch 82,whereby the ink sheet 1 being conveyed is taken up by the take-up sidecore 56. At this time, the take-up speed by the take-up side core 56 isset to a value higher than the conveyance speed by the platen roller 4,whereby sliding occurs to the sliding clutch 84 and by this sliding,front tension is applied to the ink sheet 1. Thus, no slack occurs inthe ink sheet 1.

When a sheet of recording is terminated, the recording material 64 isconveyed until the trailing end edge of the recorded image passes thecutting position of the cutters 21, and also the ink sheet 1 is taken upby the take-up side core 56 at the same speed.

After the recording material 64 is cut from the trailing end edge of therecorded image thereon, the motor 80 revolves in the direction -a, i.e.,the reverse direction, and the drive force thereof is transmitted to theplaten roller 4, which is thus rotated in the direction -b and therecording material 64 is rewound so that the cut end of the recordingmaterial 64 comes to the vicinity of the heat-generating member 73a.This is for the purpose of eliminating the blank portion at the leadingend of the recording material 64 during the next recording because, inthe position wherein the recording material 64 has been cut, nothing isrecorded on the portion thereof from the cut end to the heat-generatingmember 73a. When the motor 80 revolves in the reverse direction, thedrive force to the take-up side core 56 is cut off by the one-way clutch82 and the drive force of the motor 80 is transmitted to the supply sidecore 55 through the one-way clutch 81 and the supply side core 55 isrotated in the direction of arrow d and therefore, the ink sheet 1 isalso taken up by the supply side core 55 at the same speed as that ofthe recording material 64 being rewound. Provision is made such that atthis time, as when the motor 80 revolves in the forward direction, backtension and front tension are applied to the ink sheet 1 by the slidingof the respective sliding clutches 83 and 84 to prevent any slack fromoccurring in the ink sheet 1.

A further embodiment of the ink sheet cassette will now be described.

FIGS. 12 to 14 illustrate another embodiment.

In this embodiment, a pair of left and right support plates 92 areprovided near a bulged portion 90a in which the core 91 of the cassette90 is contained, and a tension roller 93 which is slack eliminatingmeans is rotatably journalled between the pair of support plates 92.Designated by 90e is an opening, and denoted by 94 is a take-up shaft.

The tension roller 93 is such that as shown in FIG. 13, the lengthwiselycentral portion thereof provides a large-diametered portion and thediameter thereof becomes gradually smaller toward its opposite ends.

If such a tension roller 93 is provided, the ink sheet 1 when directedout comes into contact with the underside of the tension roller 93 andcomponents of tensile force directed toward the left and right of thewidthwise direction are imparted to the ink sheet 1, whereby any slackin the ink sheet 1 is eliminated and no wrinkle is created in the inksheet.

The ink sheet 1 is unwound from the core 91 and this core 91 is rotatedcounter-clockwise as viewed in FIG. 12, and if, at this time, aclockwise damping force acts on the core 91 due to friction force orspring force, tension will be applied to the ink sheet lying between thecore 91 and the recording station and the component of tensile forcedirected in the widthwise direction of the ink sheet will become greatto thereby further increase the wrinkle preventing effect.

FIGS. 15 to 18 illustrate still another embodiment. In this embodiment,a structure utilizing the side wall of a bulged portion 90a is adoptedas slack eliminating means.

That is, the lower end portion of the inner side wall of the bulgedportion 90a in which a core 91 is contained, namely, the side wall 90fwhich is adjacent to the bulged portion 90b, is lowest at its center andhighest at its opposite ends, as shown in FIG. 16.

That is, when the distance between the central portion of the side wall90f and the ink sheet 1 is Y and the distance between each of theopposite ends of the side wall 90f and the ink sheet 1 is X, thisembodiment is constructed so that X>Y.

Thus, as in the case of the previously described tension roller 93, acomponent of tensile force is imparted in the widthwise direction sothat the side wall adjacent to the outlet for the ink sheet 1 ismountain-shaped toward the lower portion, whereby any slack can beeliminated and wrinkles can be prevented from being created.

The lower end edge of the side wall 90f, as is enlargedly shown in FIG.17, is of arcuate cross-section so that the ink sheet 1 may not becaught thereby.

Also, if, as in the case of the previous embodiment, a damping force inthe direction opposite to the direction in which the ink sheet is drawnout is imparted to the core 91 side, tension will be applied to the inksheet and a component of tensile force directed in the widthwisedirection will be provided, whereby at the recording station, creationof wrinkles in the ink sheet can be prevented more reliably.

FIG. 19 illustrates still another embodiment. In this embodiment, astructure which may be termed mountain-shaped toward the lower portionlike the side wall 90f is also adopted for the side wall 90g of thebulged portion 90b.

The adoption of such a structure can prevent the creation of wrinkles inthe ink sheet during the reversal thereof.

That is, after recording has been terminated and the cutting of therecording paper has been effected, the leading end of the recordingpaper remaining in the apparatus is returned to the vicinity of therecording station to reduce the blank portion at the leading end of therecording paper, and at this time, it is necessary to rotate the platenroller 4 in the reverse direction and thereby return the ink sheet andthe recording paper by a predetermined distance, and at this time, themountain-shaped side wall 90g can prevent creation of wrinkles.

In the conventional apparatus, when the recording paper is to bereturned, the thermal head or the platen roller has been caused toescape to thereby eliminate the state in which the recording paper andthe ink sheet are held between the thermal head and the platen roller,and only the recording paper has been returned.

FIG. 20 illustrates the wrinkle preventing effect. When the ink sheet 1is drawn in the direction of arrow G during forward revolution, atensile force is applied in the directions of arrows G1 and G2 by themountain-shaped end edge of the side wall 90f, and when the ink sheet 1is drawn in the direction of arrow H during reverse revolution, atensile force in the directions of arrows H1 and H2 is applied to theink sheet 1 by the side wall 90g, whereby creation of wrinkles can beprevented.

A further embodiment is shown in FIG. 21. In this embodiment, a set ofsupport plates 100, 100 are projectedly provided in opposed relationshipwith each other near each of the bulged portions 90a and 90b of acassette 90, and a slot 100a is formed in each of these support plates100 along the axial direction.

These slots 100a are utilized to rotatably journal the opposite ends ofeach tension roller 101.

The length of the large-diametered portion of the tension roller 101except the opposite end portions thereof is greater than the length ofthe ink sheet 1.

Reference numeral 102 designates plate springs. One end of each of theplate springs 102 is fixed to the cassette 90 side and the free endthereof is in contact with the upper side of the small-diameteredportion 101a at each end of the tension roller 101.

Accordingly, the tension roller 101 is normally biased downwardly by theresilient force of the plate spring 102.

When the cassette 90 having the above-described structure is mounted onthe original carriage cover 17 side and the original carriage cover 17is closed, the platen roller fits into the opening 90e in the cassette90 and urges the recording sheet 67 and the ink sheet 1 against thethermal head 73.

At this time, the recording sheet 67 and the ink sheet 1 are bent intothe form of a mountain toward the thermal head 73 side, and the tensionrollers 101, 101 are urged upwardly against the thermal head 73 againstthe repulsion forces of the plate springs 102.

As a result, the slack of the ink sheet 1 is eliminated and creation ofwrinkles is prevented.

The tension of the ink sheet between the tension rollers 101 and theplaten roller 4 suffers from no sharp variation because the tensionrollers move up and down while being pushed by the plate springs 102.

FIG. 22 shows still a further embodiment. In this embodiment, rollers103 are provided not only on the cassette 90 side but also on theapparatus body side.

These rollers 103 are constructed as feed rollers and are rotated by adrive source, not shown, on the apparatus body side, and when theoriginal carriage cover 17 is closed, the rollers 103 fit into theinterior through the opening 90e in the cassette 90 and come intocontact with the respective tension rollers 101, thereby holding therecording sheet 67 and the ink sheet 1 therebetween.

Where such a structure is adopted, the ink sheet 1 together with therecording sheet 67 is nipped by and between the tension roller 101 andthe feed rollers 103 during recording, and is imparted a conveying forceby the driving of the feed rollers 103 and is fed while the slack of theink sheet is being eliminated.

The adoption of such a structure may also result in an effect similar tothat of the previously described embodiment.

As the ink sheet used in the present embodiment, mention may be made,for example, of a plastic transfer film with heat-meltable ink appliedthereto. This ink sheet is such that when it is heated with therecording sheet superposed thereon by a heat-generating member operatedin response to an information signal, the ink or the film is melted andthe ink of that portion remains on the transfer sheet (recording sheet),thereby forming a print. The holding member for holding the recordingsheet conveyed by conveyor means is not limited to the platen roller,but may be any member such as a planar or arcuate member capable ofholding the sheet.

I claim:
 1. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on arecord sheet, comprising:a first housing having a record sheet mountingportion for mounting a record sheet thereon; a second housing divisibleand openable relative to said first housing, said second housinghaving:an ink sheet cassette mounting portion for mounting thereon anink sheet cassette removably mountable with respect to said apparatus,the ink sheet cassette having an ink sheet carrying ink thereon and adrive force receiving portion for receiving a drive force for conveyingthe ink sheet, means for maintaining the ink sheet cassette in a mountedstate against weight of the ink sheet cassette itself and for engageablyrestraining the ink sheet cassette on said ink sheet cassette mountingportion in a removable condition, and a record head for effecting arecord operation in accordance with image information in order totransfer the ink carried by the ink sheet onto the record sheet so as torecord the image on the record sheet; drive force transmitting means fortransmitting the driver force to the drive force receiving portion ofthe ink sheet cassette so as to convey the ink sheet; displacing meansfor relatively displacing the drive force receiving portion of the inksheet cassette mounted on said ink sheet cassette mounting portion andsaid drive force transmitting means in an opening direction of saidfirst and second housings; and conveying means for conveying the recordsheet along a conveyance path.
 2. An image recording apparatus forrecording an image on a record sheet, comprising:a first housinghaving:a record sheet mounting portion for mounting a record sheetthereon, and a platen disposed along a conveyance path for the recordsheet mounted on said record sheet mounting portion; a second housingdivisible from and openable relative to said first housing, said secondhousing having:an ink sheet cassette mounting portion for mountingthereon an ink sheet cassette removably mountable with respect to saidapparatus, the ink sheet cassette having an ink sheet carrying inkthereon and a drive force receiving portion for receiving a drive forcefor conveying the ink sheet; means for maintaining the ink sheetcassette in a mounted state against weight of the ink sheet cassetteitself and for engageably restraining the ink sheet cassette on said inksheet cassette mounting portion in a removable condition; and a recordhead for effecting a record operation in accordance with imageinformation in order to transfer ink carried by the ink sheet onto therecord sheet so as to record the image on the record sheet; drive forcetransmitting means for transmitting the drive force to the drive forcereceiving portion of the ink sheet cassette mounted on said ink sheetcassette mounting portion so as to convey said ink sheet; conveyingmeans for conveying the record sheet along said conveyance path; andload absorbing means provided on said drive force transmitting means forabsorbing a load over a predetermined value so as to prevent such loadover the predetermined value from being transmitted to the drive forcereceiving portion of the ink sheet cassette mounted on said ink sheetcassette mounting portion.
 3. An image recording apparatus for recordingan image on a record sheet, comprising:a record sheet mounting portionfor mounting a record sheet thereon; conveying means for conveying therecord sheet mounted on said record sheet mounting portion; an imagereading portion for reading an image on an original and outputting imageinformation obtained by reading the image; an ink sheet cassettemounting portion for mounting thereon an ink sheet cassette removablymountable with respect to said apparatus, the ink sheet cassette havingan ink sheet carrying ink thereon, and a drive force receiving portionfor receiving a drive force for conveying the ink sheet; means forreleasably maintaining the ink sheet cassette in a mounted state againstweight of the ink sheet cassette itself and for engageably restrainingthe ink sheet cassette on said ink sheet cassette mounting portion in aremovable condition; a record head for effecting a record operation inaccordance with image information output by said image reading portionin order to transfer the ink carried by the ink sheet onto the recordsheet so as to record the image on the record sheet; drive forcetransmitting means for transmitting the drive force to the drive forcereceiving portion of the ink sheet cassette mounted on said ink sheetcassette mounting portion so as to convey the ink sheet; displacingmeans for relatively displacing the drive force receiving portion of theink sheet cassette mounted on said ink sheet cassette mounting means andsaid drive force transmitting means; and an original loading portiondisposed upstream in an original conveyance direction with respect tosaid image reading portion and openable with respect to a main body ofsaid apparatus, wherein said original loading portion includes at leastsaid ink sheet cassette mounting portion, said restraining means andsaid record head in union.
 4. An apparatus according to claim 3, whereinsaid apparatus is a facsimile machine having transmitting means fortransmitting the image information read by said image reading portion.5. An image recording apparatus for recording an image on a recordsheet, comprising:a first housing having a record sheet mounting portionfor removably mounting a record sheet thereon; a second housingdivisible and openable relative to said first housing, said secondhousing having:an ink sheet mounting portion for removably mounting anink sheet with ink, the ink sheet being integrally formed with a driveforce receiving portion for receiving a drive force for conveying theink sheet mounted on said ink sheet mounting portion, anengaging-restraining portion for engaging and restraining the ink sheeton said ink sheet mounting portion in a removable condition, andrecording means for effecting a record operation in accordance withimage information in order to transfer the ink carried by the ink sheetonto the record sheet so as to record the image on the record sheet;drive force transmitting means for transmitting the drive force to thedrive force receiving portion to convey the ink sheet; conveying meansfor conveying the record sheet; and load absorbing means for absorbing aload over a predetermined value, so as to prevent the load from beingtransmitted to the drive force receiving portion.
 6. An apparatusaccording to claim 5, wherein the record sheet is of a roll.
 7. Anapparatus according to claim 5, wherein the ink sheet is of a roll. 8.An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said recording means has athermal head.
 9. An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said loadabsorbing means is disposed on said drive force transmitting means. 10.An apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said engaging-restrainingportion maintains the ink sheet in a mounted state against weight of theink sheet itself.
 11. An image recording apparatus for recording animage on a record sheet, comprising:a first housing having a recordsheet mounting portion for removably mounting a record sheet thereon; asecond housing divisible and operable relative to said first housing,said second housing having:an ink sheet mounting portion for removablymounting an ink sheet with ink, the ink sheet being integrally formedwith a drive force receiving portion for receiving a drive force forconveying the ink sheet mounted on said ink sheet mounting portion, anengaging-restraining portion for engaging and restraining the ink sheeton said ink sheet mounting portion in a removable condition, andrecording means for effecting a record operation in accordance withimage information in order to transfer the ink carried by the ink sheetonto the record sheet so as to record the image on the record sheet;drive force transmitting means for transmitting the drive force to thedrive force receiving portion to convey said ink sheet; displacing meansfor relatively displacing the drive force receiving portion and saiddrive force transmitting means in an opening direction of said first andsecond housings; and conveying means for conveying the record sheet. 12.An image recording apparatus adapted to record an image onto a recordingsheet, comprising:a first take-up portion capable of taking up an inksheet having ink therein; a second take-up portion capable of taking upthe ink sheet; a first housing having a recording sheet mounting portionfor removably mounting the recording sheet; a second housing openablerelative to and separably from said first housing, said second housinghaving an ink sheet mounting portion for removably mounting the inksheet and recording means for transferring ink in the ink sheet to therecording sheet and for performing a recording operation to record theimage in response to image information; transmitting means having afirst drive force transmitting system for transmitting a drive force tosaid second take-up portion so as to convey the ink sheet from saidfirst take-up portion to said second take-up portion, and a second driveforce transmitting system for transmitting a drive force to said firsttake-up portion so as to convey the ink sheet from said second take-upportion to said first take-up portion; first load absorbing meansprovided in said first transmitting system for absorbing a predeterminedload applied to said second take-up portion; second load absorbing meansprovided in said second transmitting system for absorbing apredetermined load applied to said first take-up portion; and conveyingmeans for conveying the recording sheet.
 13. An image recordingapparatus adapted to record an image onto a recording sheet,comprising:a first housing having a recording sheet mounting portion forremovably mounting the recording sheet; a second housing operablerelative to and separably from said first housing, having an ink sheetmounting portion for removably mounting the ink sheet and recordingmeans for transferring ink in the ink sheet to the recording sheet andperforming a recording operation to record the image in response toimage information; transmitting means for transmitting a drive force tothe ink sheet so as to convey the ink sheet; conveying means forconveying the recording sheet; and load absorbing means for absorbing apredetermined load so as to prevent application of the load to the inksheet, wherein said recording sheet mounting portion and said ink sheetmounting portion are exposed when said first and second housings areopened.
 14. An image recording apparatus adapted to record an image ontoa recording sheet, comprising:a first housing having a recording sheetmounting portion for removably mounting the recording sheet; a secondhousing openable relative to and separably from said first housing, saidsecond housing having an ink sheet mounting portion for removablymounting the ink sheet and recording means for transferring ink in theink recording sheet to the recording sheet and performing a recordingoperation to record the image in response to image information;transmitting means for transmitting a drive force to the ink sheet so asto convey the ink sheet; conveying means for conveying the recordingsheet; and load absorbing means for absorbing a predetermined load so asto prevent application of the load to the ink sheet, wherein said loadabsorbing means absorbs the predetermined load, so that the ink sheet isconveyed under a predetermined tension.
 15. An image recording apparatusaccording to claim 2, 5, 12 or 13, wherein said load absorbing meansabsorb the predetermined load so that the ink sheet is conveyed under apredetermined tension.
 16. An image recording apparatus according toclaim 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the ink sheet is conveyedfrom a supply side to a take-up side under application of back-tensionby a sliding clutch, and drive of said supply side is stopped by aone-way clutch during recording by said recording means.
 17. An imagerecording apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, 13 or 14,wherein, during recording by said recording means, the ink sheet isconveyed from a supply side to a take-up side, and take-up speed of saidtake-up side is set higher than a conveying speed of said platen, andthe ink sheet is subjected to a front-tension by slide movement of asliding clutch.
 18. An image recording apparatus according to claim 5 or11, wherein said recording means includes a thermal head having heatingelements.
 19. An image recording apparatus according to claim 1, 2, 3,5, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein said image recording apparatus is afacsimile machine having an original read-out system for reading out anoriginal.
 20. An image recording apparatus according to claim 5, 11, 12,13 or 14, wherein the ink sheet is contained in an ink sheet cassetteattachable to said apparatus.
 21. An image recording apparatus accordingto claim 1, 2, 3, 5, 11, 12, 13 or 14, wherein the recording sheet canbe reversely conveyed.
 22. An image recording apparatus adapted torecord an image onto a recording sheet, comprising:a first housinghaving a recording sheet mounting portion for mounting the recordingsheet; a second housing openable relative to said first housing, saidsecond housing having an ink sheet mounting portion for mounting an inksheet containing ink thereon and recording means for recording the imageonto the recording sheet by means of the ink sheet; transmitting meansfor transmitting a drive force to the ink sheet so as to convey the inksheet under tension; and load absorption means for absorbing load so asto prevent the ink sheet from being subjected to tension in excess of apredetermined amount when the ink sheet is conveyed by the drive forcetransmitted by said transmitting means.
 23. An apparatus according toclaim 22, further comprising take-up means for taking up the ink sheetand a platen roller via which said transmitting means applies tension tothe ink sheet, and via which the recording sheet is conveyed, wherein atake-up speed with which the ink sheet is taken up by said take-up meansis greater than a conveying speed with which the ink sheet and therecording sheet are conveyed by said platen roller.
 24. An apparatusaccording to claim 23, wherein said load absorption means comprises asliding clutch, and absorbs by slide movement of said sliding clutch anyexcess amount of the take-up speed of the ink sheet over the conveyingspeed of the ink sheet.
 25. Apparatus according to claim 24, whereinsaid load absorption means is provided on a part of a drive forcetransmitting route via which said transmitting means transmits the driveforce to the ink sheet.
 26. An image recording apparatus adapted torecord an image onto a recording sheet, comprising:a first housinghaving a recording sheet mounting portion for removably mounting therecording sheet, and a rotatable platen roller; a second housingopenable relative to said first housing, said second housing having anink sheet mounting portion for removably mounting an ink sheet, and athermal head for recording the image onto the recording sheet by heatingthe ink sheet mounted on said ink sheet mounting portion; transmittingmeans for transmitting drive force to the ink sheet in such a mannerthat a take-up speed with which the ink sheet is taken up is greaterthan a conveying speed with which the ink sheet and the recording sheetare conveyed by rotation of said platen roller in a state in which saidthermal head presses said platen roller against the ink sheet and sopresses the ink sheet against the recording sheet; and load absorptionmeans for absorbing load so as to prevent the ink sheet from beingsubjected to tension greater than a predetermined amount when the inksheet is conveyed by the drive force transmitted by said transmittingmeans.
 27. An apparatus according to claim 26, wherein said loadabsorption means is provided on a part of a drive force transmittingroute via which said transmitting means transmits the drive force to theink sheet.
 28. An image recording apparatus adapted to record an imageonto a recording sheet, comprising:a first housing having a recordingsheet mounting portion for mounting the recording sheet; a secondhousing openable relative to said first housing, said second housinghaving an ink sheet mounting portion for mounting an ink sheetcontaining ink thereon and recording means for recording the image ontothe recording sheet by means of the ink sheet; transmitting means fortransmitting a drive force to the ink sheet so as to convey the inksheet selectively in a forward direction and in a reverse directionopposed to said forward direction; first load absorption means forabsorbing load so as to prevent the ink sheet from being subjected totension greater than a predetermined amount when the ink sheet isconveyed in said forward direction by said drive force transmitted bysaid transmitting means; and second load absorption means for absorbingload so as to prevent the ink sheet from being subjected to tensiongreater than the predetermined amount when the ink sheet is conveyed insaid reverse direction by said drive force transmitted by saidtransmitting means.
 29. An apparatus according to claim 28, furthercomprising take-up means for taking up the ink sheet and a platen rollervia which said transmitting means applies the drive force to the inksheet, wherein tension is applied to the ink sheet in such a manner thata take-up speed with which the ink sheet is taken up by said take-upmeans is greater than a conveying speed with which the ink sheet isconveyed by said platen roller when the ink sheet is conveyed in saidforward direction during image recording by said recording means.
 30. Anapparatus according to claim 28, further comprising take-up means fortaking up the ink sheet and a platen roller via which said transmittingmeans applies the drive force to the ink sheet, wherein tension isapplied to the ink sheet in such a manner that a take-up speed withwhich the ink sheet is taken up by said take-up means is greater than aconveying speed with which the ink sheet is conveyed by said platenroller when the ink sheet is conveyed in said reverse direction whilesaid recording means is not performing image recording.
 31. An apparatusaccording to claim 30, wherein said transmitting means comprises aplaten roller, in a state in which said recording means pinches the inksheet and said recording means against said platen roller.
 32. Anapparatus according to claim 30, wherein said transmitting meansincludes ink sheet take-up means and a platen roller for transmittingsaid first drive force to the ink sheet.
 33. An image recordingapparatus adapted to record an image onto a recording sheet,comprising:a first housing having a recording sheet mounting portion formounting the recording sheet; a second housing openable relative to saidfirst housing, said second housing having an ink sheet mounting portionfor mounting an ink sheet containing ink thereon and recording means forrecording the image onto the recording sheet using the ink sheet; andtransmitting means for transmitting a first drive force to the ink sheetso as to convey the ink sheet and for transmitting a second drive forceto the recording sheet so to convey the recording sheet; and loadabsorption means for absorbing load so as to prevent the ink sheet frombeing subjected to tension greater than a predetermined amount when theink sheet is conveyed by said first drive force transmitted by saidtransmitting means.